Configuring output controls on a per-online identity and/or a per-online resource basis

ABSTRACT

A process includes receiving, from a user identity, instructions for output characteristics including one or more of audio characteristics for rendering or capturing audio data or visual characteristics for rendering or capturing visual data. The process also includes determining, in response to the received instructions, output controls which effect the one or more of audio characteristics or visual characteristics, and associating the output controls with an online identity or resource. The process further includes storing the associated output controls and detecting an interaction with the online identity or resource. Moreover, the process includes accessing, in response to the detection of the interaction, the stored output controls, and enabling an effect, based on the output controls, of one or more of the audio characteristics or the visual characteristics with respect to interaction with the online identity or resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/865,852, filed Oct. 2, 2007, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/882,873, filed Dec. 29,2006. The entire contents of the above-referenced applications arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Computer applications generate output in a variety of manners. Forexample, a web site may display text and video, and generate audiosounds. The audio sounds may be rendered by accessing an audio fileembedded in a web site.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a method includes receiving instructions foroutput characteristics for audio communication sessions, the audiocommunication sessions being associated with a first identity. Theoutput characteristics include a first volume level for audiocommunication sessions between the first identity and a second identity,and a second volume level for audio communication sessions between thefirst identity and a third identity. The first volume level is differentthan the second volume level. The method also includes determining, inresponse to the received instructions, audio output controls for audiocommunication sessions associated with the first identity, andassociating the output controls with the first identity. The methodfurther includes storing the associated output controls, detecting anaudio communication session associated with the first identity, andaccessing, in response to the detection, the stored output controls.Also, method includes enabling rendering of the first volume level forthe audio communication session based on the audio output controlsdependent on whether the audio communication session is between thefirst identity and the second identity. Moreover, the method includesenabling rendering of the second volume level for the audiocommunication session based on the audio output controls dependent onwhether the audio communication session is between the first identityand the third identity.

In another general aspect, a method includes receiving, from a useridentity, instructions for output characteristics including one or moreof audio characteristics for rendering or capturing audio data or visualcharacteristics for rendering or capturing visual data. The method alsoincludes determining, in response to the received instructions, outputcontrols which effect the one or more of audio characteristics or visualcharacteristics, and associating the output controls with an onlineidentity or resource. The method further includes storing the associatedoutput controls and detecting an interaction with the online identity orresource. Moreover, the method includes accessing, in response to thedetection of the interaction, the stored output controls, and enablingan effect, based on the output controls, of one or more of the audiocharacteristics or the visual characteristics with respect tointeraction with the online identity or resource.

Implementations may include one or more of the features noted above. Inaddition, implementations may include associating the output controlswith the user identity and an online identity, detecting an interactionbetween the user identity and the online identity; and enabling aneffect, based on the output controls, of one or more of the audiocharacteristics or the visual characteristics with respect tointeraction with the online identity. Also, the online identity may be afirst user with a first screen name, and enabling an effect may includedetecting initiation or existence of an instant messaging communicationssession with the first user. Further, audio output related to theinstant messaging communications session may be rendered using audiocontrols included in the output controls or an instant messaging relatedto the instant messaging communications session may be rendered usingvisual controls included in the output controls.

Also, rendering audio output related to the instant messagingcommunications session using the audio controls may include capturingparticular sounds using a microphone level indicated in the audiocontrols. Rendering audio output related to the instant messagingcommunications session using the audio controls may include renderingparticular sounds indicated in the audio controls based on volumesettings associated with the particular sounds or a microphone andincluded in the audio controls, and muting the particular sounds afteran amount of time associated with the particular sounds and included inthe audio controls has elapsed. The visual controls may include apriority setting, and rendering the instant messaging related to theinstant messaging communications session using the visual controls mayinclude accessing the priority setting as at least one of the storedoutput controls, and rendering an instant messaging at a forefront basedon whether the priority setting indicates that communications with thefirst screen name should be prioritized. An instant messaging related tothe instant messaging session may be rendered in a subdued manner basedon whether the priority setting indicates that communications with thefirst screen name should be subdued. The visual controls may include alist of items to be displayed, and rendering the instant messagingrelated to the instant messaging communications session using the visualcontrols may include rendering the items included in the list of items.

Further, receiving instructions for output characteristics includingaudio characteristics for rendering or capturing audio data may includereceiving instructions for output characteristics including anindication of microphone volume level for capturing audio. Receivinginstructions for output characteristics including visual characteristicsfor rendering or capturing visual data may include receivinginstructions for output characteristics including an indication ofwebcam brightness level for capturing visual data. Also, the outputcontrols may be associated with the user identity and an onlineresource, an interaction may be detected between the user identity andthe online resource, and an effect may be enabled, based on the outputcontrols, of one or more of the audio characteristics or the visualcharacteristics with respect to interaction with the online resource.Receiving instructions for output characteristics may include receivinginstructions for output controls that are associated with a web page.Detecting an interaction may include detecting a browser navigating tothe web page, and enabling an effect may include controlling audiocharacteristics of the web page or visual characteristics of the webpage based on the output controls associated with the web page. Enablingan effect may include controlling audio characteristics of the web page.Enabling an effect may include controlling visual characteristics of theweb page.

Moreover, the general aspect may include receiving instructions foroutput characteristics that are associated with email messages that meetparticular criteria. Detecting an interaction between the user identityand the online resource may include detecting receipt of an emailmessage that meets the particular criteria and enabling an effect mayinclude controlling how to play sounds included in the email message orhow to render video included in the email message. Receivinginstructions may include receiving instructions for output controls thatare associated with media that meets particular criteria. Detecting aninteraction may include detecting rendering, capture, or playback ofmedia that meets the particular criteria, and enabling an effect mayinclude controlling audio characteristics associated with the media orvisual characteristics associated with the media.

Also, the general aspect may include receiving instructions for outputcontrols that are associated with the online identity. The onlineidentity may be a first user with a first screen name, and enabling aneffect may include detecting initiation or existence of an instantmessaging communications session with the first user, and may includeone or more of rendering audio output related to the instant messagingcommunications session using audio controls included in the outputcontrols or rendering an instant messaging related to the instantmessaging communications session using visual controls included in theoutput controls. Rendering audio output related to the instant messagingcommunications session using the audio controls may include capturingparticular sounds using a microphone level indicated in the audiocontrols. Rendering audio output related to the instant messagingcommunications session using the audio controls may include renderingparticular sounds indicated in the audio controls based on volumesettings associated with the particular sounds or a microphone andincluded in the audio controls and muting the particular sounds after anamount of time associated with the particular sounds and included in theaudio controls has elapsed. The visual controls may include a prioritysetting, and rendering the instant messaging related to the instantmessaging communications session using the visual controls may includerendering an instant messaging at a forefront based on whether thepriority setting indicates that communications with the first screenname should be prioritized and rendering an instant messaging related tothe instant messaging session in a subdued manner based on whether thepriority setting indicates that communications with the first screenname should be subdued. The visual controls may include a list of itemsto be displayed, and rendering the instant messaging related to theinstant messaging communications session using the visual controls mayinclude rendering the items included in the list of items.

Further, the general aspect may include receiving, from a second useridentity, second instructions for second output characteristicsincluding one or more of audio characteristics for rendering orcapturing audio data or visual characteristics for rendering orcapturing visual data, where the second output characteristics aredifferent than the output characteristics, determining, in response tothe received second instructions, second output controls which effectthe one or more of audio characteristics or visual characteristics,where the second output controls are different than the output controls,associating the second output controls with the second user identity andthe online identity or resource, and storing the associated secondoutput controls.

Moreover, the general aspect may include detecting an interaction withthe online identity or resource. Dependent on whether the interaction iswith the user identity, the general aspect may include accessing, inresponse to the detection of the interaction, the stored outputcontrols, enabling an effect, based on the output controls, of one ormore of the audio characteristics or the visual characteristics withrespect to interaction with the online identity or resource. Also,dependent on whether interaction is with the second user identity, thegeneral aspect may include accessing, in response to the detection ofthe interaction, the stored second output controls, and enabling aneffect, based on the second output controls, of one or more of the audiocharacteristics or the visual characteristics with respect tointeraction with the online identity or resource. Enabling an effect,based on the output controls may include enabling an effect of the audiocharacteristics and enabling an effect, based on the second outputcontrols may include enabling an effect of the visual characteristics.Enabling an effect, based on the output controls may include enabling aneffect of a low audio volume, and enabling an effect, based on thesecond output controls may include enabling an effect of a high audiovolume.

Furthermore, the general aspect may include receiving, from the useridentity, second instructions for second output characteristicsincluding one or more of audio characteristics for rendering orcapturing audio data or visual characteristics for rendering orcapturing visual data wherein the second output characteristics aredifferent than the output characteristics, determining, in response tothe received second instructions, second output controls which effectthe one or more of audio characteristics or visual characteristicswherein the second output controls are different than the outputcontrols, associating the second output controls with the second useridentity and a feature of the online identity or resource, and storingthe second output controls in association with the user identity and theonline identity or resource. An interaction may be detected with theonline identity or resource. Dependent on whether the interaction iswith the online identity or resource, the general aspect may includeaccessing, in response to the detection of the interaction, the storedoutput controls, and enabling an effect, based on the output controls,of one or more of the audio characteristics or the visualcharacteristics with respect to interaction with the online identity orresource. Also, dependent on whether interaction is with the feature ofthe online identity or resource, the general aspect may includeaccessing, in response to the detection of the interaction, the storedsecond output controls, and enabling an effect, based on the secondoutput controls, of one or more of the audio characteristics or thevisual characteristics with respect to interaction with the onlineidentity or resource. Enabling an effect, based on the output controlsmay include enabling an overall volume level, and enabling an effect,based on the second output controls may include enabling a volume forthe specific feature. The overall volume level may be an overall volumelevel of a running instant messaging program, and the specific featuremay be a volume associated with incoming messages.

Additionally, the general aspect may include receiving instructions foroutput characteristics including a volume level, determining outputcontrols which effect the volume level, enabling an effect, based on theoutput controls, of the volume level with respect to interaction withthe online identity or resource, and sending the data associated withthe interaction with the online identity or resource to the user. Also,the general aspect may include receiving instructions for outputcharacteristics including a volume level, determining output controlswhich effect the volume level, sending data associated with theinteraction with the online identity or resource to the user identity,and enabling an effect, based on the output controls, of the volumelevel with respect to interaction with the online identity or resource.Further, the general aspect may include receiving instructions foroutput characteristics of audio characteristics of instant messagecommunications with a first user, detecting initiation or existence of afirst instant messaging communications session with the first user and asecond instant messaging communications session with a second user,enabling rendering of audio output related to the second instantmessaging communications session without an effect based on the outputcontrols, where enabling an effect includes enabling rendering of audiooutput related to the first instant messaging communications sessionusing audio controls included in the output controls.

In a further general aspect, a computer program product includeinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toreceive, from a user identity, instructions for output characteristicsincluding one or more of audio characteristics for rendering orcapturing audio data or visual characteristics for rendering orcapturing visual data. The instruction also cause the processor todetermine, in response to the received instructions, output controlswhich effect the one or more of audio characteristics or visualcharacteristics and associate the output controls with the user identityand an online identity or resource. Also, the instructions cause theprocessor to store the associated output controls and detect aninteraction with the online identity or resource. Further, theinstructions cause the processor to access, in response to the detectionof the interaction, the stored output controls enable an effect, basedon the output controls, of one or more of the audio characteristics orthe visual characteristics with respect to interaction with the onlineidentity or resource.

In an additional general aspect, a method includes receiving, from anidentity entered by a user to access computer or network resources,instructions for output characteristics including one or more of audiocharacteristics for rendering or capturing audio data or visualcharacteristics for rendering or capturing visual data. The method alsoincludes determining, in response to the received instructions, outputcontrols which effect the one or more of audio characteristics or visualcharacteristics and associating the output controls with the identityand an online identity or resource. The method further includes storingthe associated output controls and detecting an interaction between theidentity and the online identity or resource. In addition, the methodincludes accessing, in response to the detection of the interaction, thestored output controls and enabling an effect, based on the outputcontrols, of one or more of the audio characteristics or the visualcharacteristics with respect to interaction with the online identity orresource.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a GUI configured to receive instructions,from a user, for output controls for communications with a particularonline identity.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration file for storing outputcontrols, provided by a user, in association with one or more onlineidentities.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a GUI that includes a browser windowdisplaying a web page and an output controls window configured toreceive, from a user, instructions for output controls to be associatedwith the displayed web page.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram that is an example of a communicationssystem that includes a host connected to a client over a network.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an example of a process by which a user'sinteraction with an online identity is controlled based on instructionsfor output controls, provided by the user, and associated with theonline identity.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of an example of a process by which acommunications session between a user and an online identity“BestFriend” is controlled based on instructions for output controls,provided by the user, and associated with the online identity“BestFriend.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A communications session between a user and an online identity mayinclude various sounds, display characteristics, and actions. Forexample, receipt of an instant message (IM) from an online identity maytrigger display of an avatar selected by the online identity, as well asplayback of sounds associated with the avatar. The user may seek toconfigure the sounds, display characteristics, and actions associatedwith such a communications session. Moreover, there may be situations inwhich the user seeks to configure sounds, display characteristics, andactions associated with a communications session differently dependingon the online identity with whom the user is engaging in thecommunications session and then users may wish for their configurationsettings to persist and apply to future session involving such a user.Additionally, the user may seek to configure sounds, displaycharacteristics, and/or actions associated with a communications sessionor all communication sessions on a per-online identity basis.

For example, the user may seek to receive sounds associated with acommunications session with an online identity with whom the usercommunicates infrequently in order to signal to the user that the onlineidentity, with whom the user does not communicate on a regular basis,seeks the user's attention. In contrast, the user may seek to mute (ordiminish the volume otherwise associated with) some or all soundsassociated with a communications session between the user and an onlineidentity with whom the user communicates frequently because the userfinds constant sounds, which would be played often based on the amountof communication between the user and the online identity, adistraction.

In addition to communications sessions, sounds, display characteristics,and/or actions may be associated with particular online resources,including web pages or events, such as, for example, receipt of an emailhaving particular criteria or playback of a particular song. The usermay be made able to configure the sounds, display characteristics,and/or actions associated with the online resources or events on aper-resource or per-event basis. For example, the user may configureaudio controls for a particular web page to play sounds embedded withinthe particular web page at a volume setting of 5 (on a scale of 0-10,with 0 being no sound, and 10 being loudest sound) if the sounds areassociated with content, while sounds associated with advertisements maybe muted or relatively lowered. In another example, the user mayconfigure display controls associated with messages having a particularword in the subject line, such that images included within such messagesare displayed when the user opens or views the message.

Techniques are provided for receiving, from a user, instructions foroutput controls that (1) may include audio controls, display controls,and/or application controls, and (2) may be associated with an onlineidentity and/or an online resource. The output controls may be stored inassociation with the online identity or online resource. An interactionbetween the user and the online identity or online resource may bedetected. The user's interaction with the online identity or the onlineresource may be controlled based on the output controls associated withthe online identity.

GUI 100 of FIG. 1 is an example of a GUI configured to receiveinstructions, from a user, for output controls for communications with aparticular online identity. More particularly, GUI 100 enables a user toidentify a particular online identity, and configure audio controls,display controls, and application controls to be associated with acommunications session between the user and the particular onlineidentity.

As shown in GUI 100, the user has selected the online identity“BestFriend” 110. The name “BestFriend” may be a screen name or otheridentifier associated with a particular person whom the user knows.Additionally, or alternatively, the user may select an online identityby providing an email address, telephone number, or other contactinformation which may uniquely identify the online identity. The usermay select the online identity “BestFriend” by typing the identifier“BestFriend,” into a text entry box, by selecting the online identity“BestFriend” from a drop-down menu, or by selecting the online identity“BestFriend” from an interface outside GUI 100, such as, for example,from within a co-user list (e.g., Buddy List). In some implementations,selection of the online identity by the user from outside GUI 100 maycause the user to be presented with GUI 100. Alternatively, the user maybe presented with a GUI other than GUI 100 that is also configured toreceive instructions for output controls from the user to be associatedwith the selected online identity.

GUI 100 includes three types of output controls: (1) audio controls 120,(2) display controls 130, and (3) application controls 140. Audiocontrols 120 may be controls associated with particular types of sounds,as well as volume settings and mute settings for the sound types. Assuch, the user may provide volume settings and mute settings for avariety of different types of sounds. As shown, the user has providedaudio controls for sounds 121 associated with an avatar (e.g., ananimated or static icon), smileys (e.g., emoticons), a voice-over-IP(VoIP) session (e.g., an AIM Talk Session®), a music player (e.g.,iTunes®), and notifications (e.g., audio notifications associated withapplications, such as a sound indicating the receipt of a new emailmessage, a sound alerting the user that a document has been auto-saved,and a sound indicating that the downloading of a file has beencompleted).

The user may be enabled to provide volume settings 122, based on a scaleof 0-10, with 0 being no sound, and 10 being the loudest sound level,for each of the sound types 121. Alternatively, the volume settings maybe associated with a different scale, such as, for example, decibel (dB)levels. As shown, and for example, the user has selected a volumesetting of 3 for sounds associated with an avatar and a volume settingof 7 for sounds associated with smileys. The user also may be enabled toprovide mute settings 123 for each of the sound types 121. A mutesetting may relate to a period of time after initiation of acommunications session (e.g., an instant messaging communicationssession, a VoIP session, or a chat session) during which a particularsound may no longer be played. For example, and as shown, the user hasindicated that sounds associated with an avatar should be muted after 30minutes and sounds associated with a music player should never be muted.

The audio controls 120 include an “Add more” hyperlink 124, selection ofwhich may enable a user to add an additional sound type and associatedvolume setting and mute setting to the audio controls 120. Uponselection of the “Add more” hyperlink 124, the user may select anadditional sound type by entering the sound type into a text box,selecting the sound type from a drop-down menu, or otherwise.

Display controls 130 may be controls associated with visual displaycharacteristics for a communications session between the user and theselected online identity. More particularly, display controls 130 mayinclude message priority information 131, a list of items to bedisplayed 132, and font information 133. The user may be enabled toprovide message priority information 131 to be associated with acommunications session between the user and the selected onlineidentity. As shown, the user may select from message priority levels ofhighest, high, medium, low, and lowest, and has selected the “highest”message priority level to be associated with a message included in acommunications session between the user and the selected onlineidentity. In some implementations, the message may refer to an IMreceived from the selected online identity. Additionally oralternatively, the message may refer to an email message, a textmessage, a voicemail message, or some other message type received fromthe selected online identity, or sent, by the user, to the selectedonline identity.

The user may be enabled to provide a list of items to be displayed 132.As shown, the user may select one or more of an avatar, backgroundimages (e.g., IM wallpaper or an email message background image), imagesreceived from the selected online identity (e.g., picture files sent ina message), web page previews (e.g., thumbnail images of a web pageassociated with a hyperlink included in a message), or video. The usermay select the items using the associated checkboxes. As shown, the userhas selected to display avatars associated with a communications sessionbetween the user and the selected online identity and images receivedfrom the selected online identity. The user also may add additionaltypes of items to the list (for selection or not) by selecting the “Addmore” hyperlink 134.

The user also may be enabled to provide font information 133 for displayof text included within a communications session between the user andthe selected online identity. More particularly, and as shown, the usermay provide a font name (e.g., Arial), a font size (e.g., 12 point), anda font color (e.g., purple) in which text included in a communicationssession between the user and the online identity “BestFriend” may bedisplayed. In some implementations (not shown), the user may elect toreceive text from the selected online identity based on formattingselected by the online identity from whom the text is received.

Application controls 140 may be controls that allow the user to indicateparticular applications or programs 141 that may be launched atparticular times or based on particular events 142. Application controls140 also may be referred to as action controls because the controls areassociated with performing an action (e.g., launching an application).For example, and as shown, the user has indicated that an applicationassociated with a hearts game may be launched when text included in acommunications session between the user and the selected online identityincludes the word “play.” In another example, and as also shown, filesreceived by the user from the selected online identity may be downloadedif the files have a type of .jpg or .doc. The user may add additionalapplication controls 140 by selecting the “Add more” hyperlink 143.

The controls 120, 130, and 140 may be associated with capture as well asrendering. In particular, the audio controls 120 may include a controlfor a microphone volume level of captured audio or may include otheraudio capture characteristics. For example, an output control specifyinga low microphone volume level may be stored for communication sessionswith the online identity BestFriend 110, and a high output control maybe stored for communication sessions for different online identities.Consequently, the output controls enable a lower volume of capturedaudio to be sent to BestFriend 110, and thus, the user BestFriend 110experiences a lower audio level in communication sessions. Further, thedisplay controls 130 may include controls for the camera brightness ofcaptured images or video for display or may include other displaycapture characteristics. The controls 120, 130, and 140 may includeother capture characteristics, such as, microphone gain level,microphone bass/treble level, webcam contrast level, or othercharacteristics.

Configuration file 200 of FIG. 2 is an example of a configuration filefor storing output controls, provided by a user, in association with oneor more online identities. The information included in configurationfile 200 may be provided by the user using, for example, GUI 100 of FIG.1.

Configuration file 200 may include a list of online identities 210. Asshown, the online identities 210 include particular online identities of“BestFriend,” “Acquaintance,” and “TalkALot.” The online identities 210also include groups of online identities, such as, and as shown, onlineidentities in a co-user list associated with the user, and onlineidentities in a group labeled “Friends.”

In association with each online identity or group of online identities,configuration file 200 may store output controls that include audiocontrols 220, display controls 230, and application controls 240. Audiocontrols 220, display controls 230, and application controls 240 mayinclude the controls for which instructions were provided by the userusing GUI 100 of FIG. 1.

Audio controls 220 may include sound types 221, as well as volumesettings 222 and mute settings 223 for each of the sound types 221.Display controls 230 may include a message priority 231, a list of itemsto be displayed 232, and font information 233 for each online identity210. Application controls 240 may include a list of applications oractions 241 and launch information 242 regarding when the applicationsmay be launched or when the actions may be performed.

For example, and as shown, for online identity “Acquaintance,” each ofthe sound types available to the user for control in GUI 100 of FIG. 1are shown as sound types 221 —namely sounds associated with an avatar,smileys, a voice-over-IP (VoIP) session, a music player, andnotifications. A volume setting of 5 is associated with avatar sounds,smiley sounds, and notifications, a volume setting of 10 is associatedwith VoIP session sounds, and a volume setting of 8 is associated withmusic player sounds. The volume settings for each sound type 221 maytake effect when the user is engaged in a communications session withonline identity “Acquaintance.” After initiation of the communicationssession, avatar sounds and smiley sounds are each muted after 5 minutes,VoIP session sounds are never muted, music player sounds are muted after30 minutes, and notification sounds are muted after 20 minutes. The mutesettings may indicate a desire on the part of the user to never mute anactive VoIP session, to mute sounds associated with the communicationssession (e.g., avatar and smiley sounds) after a short period of timebecause, for example, these types of sounds tend to repeat, and to mutesounds associated with information outside the communications session(e.g., music player sounds and notifications) only when thecommunications session has lasted for an extended period of timeindicating, for example, a more important communications session duringwhich the user seeks not to be disturbed. In some implementations, onlysound types for which a volume setting and/or a mute setting has beenprovided by the user may be included in the configuration file 200.

Continuing the example of online identity “Acquaintance,” displaycontrols 230 include a message priority 231 of low, as provided by theuser. As such, and in some implementations, a low message priority mayprovide for a communications session display that includes messages(e.g., IM, text, or speech-to-text converted voicemail) from the onlineidentity “Acquaintance” to be provided to the user in a subdued (orminimized) state. Additionally, the display associated with messagesreceived from the online identity “Acquaintance” may be presented to theuser only when other, higher priority, messages or applications are notpresently active. In some implementations, messages (e.g., email, text,or voicemail) received from the online identity “Acquaintance” may bepresented to the user in a list (e.g., a message inbox) at a lowerposition than higher priority messages. Additionally, such messagesreceived from the online identity “Acquaintance” may be presented to theuser only after the user has been provided with higher priority messagesreceived by the user, for example, within a particular time framesurrounding receipt of the message from the online identity“Acquaintance.”

As also shown, a list of items to be displayed 232 in association with acommunications session between the user and the online identity“Acquaintance,” have been provided by the user, and include avatars andbackground images. Font information 233 indicates that text included inmessages from the online identity “Acquaintance” is to be displayed in afont of Tahoma, in 10 point size, and as the color green.

Configuration file 200 also includes application controls 240 associatedwith online identity “Acquaintance.” The application controls 240 mayinclude launching an application 241, such as, for example, a browserapplication, upon the occurrence of a particular event 242, such as, forexample, when text included in a communications session between the userand the online identity “Acquaintance” includes “www.” In anotherexample, and as also shown, a calendar application may be launched whentext included in the communications session between the user and theonline identity “Acquaintance” includes a date or time. In someimplementations, text that includes a date or time may be recognizedbased on predetermined information, such as, for example, letter and/ornumber formatting that indicates a date or a time.

GUI 300 of FIG. 3 is an example of a GUI that includes a browser window310 displaying a web page and an output controls window 320 configuredto receive, from a user, instructions for output controls to beassociated with the displayed web page. The output controls window 320may enable a user to provide output control information for thepresentation of web pages in browser window 320 on a per-web page basis.In some implementations, output controls window 320 may be provided tothe user as a pop-up window in response to browser window 310 loading aweb page with which no output control information has been associatedand stored.

More particularly, browser window 310 displays the CNN web page, whichis associated with a uniform resource locator (URL) ofhttp://www.cnn.com. A user who has navigated browser window 310 to theCNN web page may be presented with output controls window 320 by whichthe user may provide output control information for current and futurepresentation of the CNN web page.

Output controls window 320 includes audio controls 330, display controls340, and application controls 350. Audio controls 330 may enable theuser to provide particular sound types 331 (e.g., sounds associated withvideo embedded in the web page or advertisements shown in the web page),as well as volume settings 332 (e.g., on a scale of 0 to 10, asdiscussed above) and mute settings 333 (e.g., an amount of time afterwhich the web page is loaded that the particular sounds may be muted) tobe associated with the particular sound types. For example, and asshown, the user has indicated that video sounds may be played at avolume setting of 8 and are never muted, while sounds associated withadvertisements are to be played at a volume setting of 5 and muted 10minutes after the web page is initially loaded. To add an additionalsound type to the audio controls 330, the user may select “Add more”hyperlink 334.

Display controls 340, which are also included in output controls window320, may include controls for presentation elements associated with theweb page displayed in the browser window 310. For example, and as shown,the user may select whether to allow pop-ups 341 initiated by the CNNweb page, a list of content types 342 (e.g., substantive web pagecontent or ads) for which video included in the CNN web page is to berendered, and font information 343 for whether the text within the CNNweb page is to be displayed as provided by the web page, itself, orbased on user-defined font information.

Output controls window 320 also includes application controls 350. Theapplication controls 350 may allow the user to configure whether, andwhen, to perform particular actions associated with applications orprograms launched by the CNN web page. As shown, the user may be enabledto decide whether to allow applications (e.g., a media player to displayvideo content) to be launched from the web page 351, and whether toallow files included in the web page (e.g., video files) to beautomatically downloaded 352.

In some implementations, output controls also may be configured by auser for online resources other than web pages. In one implementation, auser may configure output controls for email messages that meetparticular criteria. As such, the user may configure audio controls tobe associated with incoming email messages that meet particularcriteria, such as, for example, a sound to be played when such messagesare received or whether, and when, sounds embedded in such an emailmessage is to be played. The user may configure display controls,including, for example, font information for email messages that meetparticular criteria, whether to display images included in such an emailmessage, and whether to provide a visual notification when such emailmessages are received. The user also may configure application controlssuch as, for example, whether to launch a browser application when anemail message that meets particular criteria includes a hyperlink.

Each of the output controls associated with email messages may be basedon whether a particular email message meets particular criteria. Theparticular criteria may include an online identity from which the emailmessage is received, a particular subject associated with the email, atime of day when the email message is received, whether the emailincludes an attachment, or a size of the email message or attachment.For example, an audio control may indicate that a sound is to be playedat a volume setting of 5 when an email message is received from theonline identity “BestFriend.” In another example, a display control mayindicate that images included in an email message having particularwords in the subject line, or being associated with a category (to whichwords in the subject line belong) may be displayed. In a third example,an application control may indicate that an attachment to an emailmessage having a size that is smaller than 10 MB, may be downloadedautomatically without specific user approval.

In another implementation, a user may configure output controls for amedia player. The user may provide audio controls, display controls, andapplication controls for a media player based on particular criteriaassociated with media (e.g., songs, video, or images) rendered by themedia player. More particularly, output controls may be configured for amedia player on, for example, a per-song, per-artist, per-media source,or per-media category basis. For example, the user may configure anaudio control to add a particular song to a current playlist whenever asong by the artist Madonna is played by the media player. In a secondexample, the user may configure a display control to change the font ofa song title in a playlist for all songs that were received from aparticular source (e.g., downloaded from a particular online musicprovider). In a third example, the user may configure an applicationcontrol to launch a photograph album application whenever the mediaplayer renders a video associated with a label of “friends” or “family”(e.g., whenever the media player plays a home movie).

Block diagram 400 of FIG. 4 is an example of a communications systemthat includes a host 430 connected to a client 410 over a network 420. Auser associated with the client 410 may participate in a communicationssession with a particular online identity when messages (e.g., IM, text,or voice messages) are sent from the client 410 through the network 420to the host 430 for transmittal to another client device associated withthe particular online identity. Additionally, the user associated withthe client 410 may receive online resources (e.g., a web page) throughthe connection between the client 410 and the host 430 over the network420.

Each of the client 410 and the host 430 may be implemented by, forexample, a general-purpose computer capable of responding to andexecuting instructions in a defined manner, a personal computer, aspecial-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, acomponent, other equipment or some combination thereof capable ofresponding to and executing instructions. The client 410 and host 430may be configured to receive instructions from, for example, a softwareapplication, a program, a piece of code, a device, a computer, acomputer system, or a combination thereof, which independently orcollectively direct operations, as described herein. The instructionsmay be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine,component, equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal that iscapable of being delivered to the client 410 or the host 430.

The client 410 may include one or more devices capable of accessingcontent on the host 430. The host 430 may include a general-purposecomputer (e.g., a personal computer (PC)) capable of responding to andexecuting instructions in a defined manner, a workstation, a notebookcomputer, a PDA (“Personal Digital Assistant”), a wireless phone, acomponent, other equipment, or some combination of these items that iscapable of responding to and executing instructions.

In one implementation, the client 410 includes one or more informationretrieval software applications (e.g., a browser, a mail application, aninstant messaging client, an Internet service provider client, a mediaplayer, or another integrated client) capable of receiving one or moredata units. The information retrieval applications may run on ageneral-purpose operating system and a hardware platform that includes ageneral-purpose processor and specialized hardware for graphics,communications and/or other capabilities. In another implementation, theclient 410 may include a wireless telephone running a micro-browserapplication on a reduced operating system with general purpose andspecialized hardware capable of operating in mobile environments.

The network 420 includes hardware and/or software capable of enablingdirect or indirect communications between the client 410 and the host430. As such, the network 420 may include a direct link between theclient 410 and the host 430, or it may include one or more networks orsub networks between them (not shown). Each network or sub network mayinclude, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway capable ofcarrying and receiving data. Examples of the delivery network includethe Internet, the World Wide Web, a WAN (“Wide Area Network”), a LAN(“Local Area Network”), analog or digital wired and wireless telephonenetworks, radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other deliverymechanism for carrying data.

The host 430 generally includes one or more devices configured toreceive a query face and return search result images that include facesdetermined to be similar to the query face. Typically, a host 430includes similarity information related to the user's perception offacial similarity. The host 430 may include a general-purpose computerhaving a central processor unit (CPU), and memory/storage devices thatstore data and various programs such as an operating system and one ormore application programs. Other examples of a host 430 includes aworkstation, a server, a special purpose device or component, abroadcast system, other equipment, or some combination thereof capableof responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. Thehost 430 also may include an input/output (I/O) device (e.g., video andaudio input and conversion capability), and peripheral equipment such asa communications card or device (e.g., a modem or a network adapter) forexchanging data with the network 420.

The host 430 is generally capable of executing instructions under thecommand of a controller. The host 430 may be used to provide content tothe client 410. The controller may be implemented by a softwareapplication loaded on the host 430 for commanding and directingcommunications exchanged with the client 410. Other examples of thecontroller include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device,a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, forindependently or collectively instructing the client 410 or the host 430to interact and operate as described. The host 430 may be embodiedpermanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physicalor virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable ofproviding instructions to the client 410 or the host 430.

Output controls configuration files, such as, for example, configurationfile 200 of FIG. 2, may be stored at the client 410. The client 410 maybe configured to detect an interaction between a user associated withthe client 410 and a particular online identity. The interaction may beinitiation of a communications session (e.g., an IM communicationssession, a VoIP session, or a chat session) between the user and theparticular online identity based on the user receiving a message (e.g.,an IM, a spoken sentence, or a chat message) from the particular onlineidentity or the user sending a message to the online identity.

Upon detecting an interaction between the user and the particular onlineidentity, the client 410 may access the output controls configurationfiles to determine if there exist output controls associated with theparticular online identity. If output controls are associated with theparticular online identity, the client 410 may tailor audio controls,display controls, and application controls associated with thecommunications session based on the output controls. Alternatively, theconfiguration files may be stored at the host 430, and the client 410may access the configuration files at the host 430 through network 420.

In order to tailor the communications session based on the outputcontrols, the client 410 may, in some implementations, directly alterpresentation settings (e.g., volume settings) associated with the client410. For example, if an audio control indicates that a volume settingfor avatar sounds is to be 7, the client 410 may adjust the volumesetting associated with the client 410 to a level of 7 whenever a soundassociated with an avatar is played. Additionally, or alternatively, theclient 410 may include, or be associated with, an additional layer ofconfigurability (e.g., a middle application) that is configured to scalepresentation settings associated with the client 410 in order to satisfya particular output setting, without requiring that the presentationsetting associated with the client 410, itself, be altered. For example,the middle application may configure the audio control that provides foran avatar sound volume setting of 7 to not interfere with the client 410volume settings, but, rather scale the client 410 volume settings, froma current level, to a level of 7, whenever a sound associated with anavatar is to be played. More particularly, if an avatar sound is to beplayed at a volume setting of 7, and the client 410 volume setting is ata current level of 10, when an avatar sound is to be played, the middleapplication intercepts the avatar sound and scales the volume settingfor the avatar sound from a level of 10 down to a level of 7 in order tocomply with the audio control without changing the real volume settingassociated with the client 410.

Flow chart 500 of FIG. 5 is of an example of a process by which a user'sinteraction with an online identity is controlled based on instructionsfor output controls, provided by the user, and associated with theonline identity. Generally, the operations of the process shown in flowchart 500 may be used in conjunction with the systems and configurationsdescribed earlier in FIG. 4. For example, the process shown in flowchart 500 may be performed by client 410. For convenience, client 410 ofFIG. 4 is referenced as performing the process. However, similarmethodologies may be applied in other implementations where differentcomponents are used to define the structure of the system, or where thefunctionality is distributed differently among the components shown.

Client 410 receives, from a user, instructions for output controls thatinclude audio controls, display controls, and application controls andare associated with an online identity (510). The client 410 may receiveinstructions for the output controls from the user through a GUI, suchas, for example, GUI 100 of FIG. 1. The output controls may beassociated with an online identity referenced by a screen name or otheridentifier (e.g., a telephone number or email address). For example, theoutput controls may be associated with an online identity having thescreen name “BestFriend.”

As discussed in detail above, the output controls may include audiocontrols, display controls, and application controls. The audio controlsmay include particular types of sounds, and, for each type of sound, anassociated volume setting and mute setting. The display controls mayinclude a priority control to be associated with messages (e.g., IM,email, text or voicemail) received from the online identity with whichthe output controls are associated, a list of items to be displayed inconnection with a communications session between the user and the onlineidentity, and font information to control display of text included inmessages that are part of the communications session. The applicationcontrols may include a list of particular applications (e.g., a browser)or actions (e.g., download files) and an indication as to when theapplications are to be launched or when the actions are to be performed.

Additionally or alternatively, rather than being associated with anonline identity, the output controls may be associated with a resource(e.g., a particular web page, an email message meeting particularcriteria, or media meeting particular criteria). As discussed above, andfor example, instructions for output controls associated with aparticular web page may be provided by a user using a GUI, such as, forexample, output controls window 320 of FIG. 3. The output controlsassociated with the web page may include audio controls (e.g.,particular sounds and associated volume and mute settings), displaycontrols (e.g., whether to allow pop-ups initiated by the web page,whether to allow the web page to display images or video, and how todisplay text included in the web page), and application controls (e.g.,whether to allow applications to be launched by the web page and whetherto allow files associated with the web page to be downloaded).

Client 410 stores the output controls in association with the onlineidentity (520). The client 410 may store the output controls in aconfiguration file, such as, for example, configuration file 200 of FIG.2. The configuration file may include a list of online identities andoutput controls, including audio controls, display controls, andapplication controls associated with each online identity.

In implementations where output controls are not associated with onlineidentities, but rather, are associated with particular online resources,such as web pages, client 410 may store the output controls provided bythe user in association with an identifier for the web page. Forexample, the output controls may be stored in association with a URL forthe particular web page (e.g., www.cnn.com/local) or a domain name(e.g., cnn.com)

Client 410 detects an interaction between the user and the onlineidentity (530). An interaction between the user and the online identitymay include initiation of a communications session by either party,which may include receipt, by the user, of a message (e.g., IM, textmessage, email, or voicemail) from the online identity or a messagebeing sent, from the user, to the online identity. An interaction alsomay include the online identity becoming available to participate in acommunications session (e.g., coming back from an away or busy state orsigning on to an instant messaging service).

In implementations where the output controls are associated with onlineresources other than online identities, the client 410 may detect aninteraction between the user and the online resource. As such, and forexample, the client 410 may detect a browser being navigated by the userto a URL with which output controls are associated. Similarly, theclient 410 may detect receipt of an email message, by the user, thatmeets particular criteria (e.g., a particular subject line, is from aparticular online identity, or includes an attachment) that isassociated with output controls. Additionally, or alternatively, theclient 410 may detect initiation of a media resource that is associatedwith particular criteria (e.g., playing a song by a particular artist orrendering a video received from a particular source) by a media player,where the media resource that meets the particular criteria isassociated with output controls.

In some implementations, client 410 may monitor applications andinput/output information for interactions that are associated with anonline identity or online resource (e.g., web page) with which outputcontrols have been associated. Alternatively, or additionally, client410 may monitor applications and input/output information for anyinteractions. In this implementation, when an interaction is detected,the client 410 may determine an online identity or online resourceassociated with the interaction and access a configuration file (e.g.,configuration file 200 of FIG. 2) to determine if the determined onlineidentity or online resource is an online identity or online resourcewith which output controls have been associated.

Client 410 controls the user's interaction with the online identitybased on the output controls associated with the online identity (540).The client 410 may control the audio, display, and application aspectsof a communications session between the user and the online identitybased on output controls associated with the online identity. Forexample, if output controls associated with the online identity“BestFriend” include display controls configured to present textincluded in messages sent between the user and the online identity in aparticular font (e.g., Arial, 12 point, purple), all text included inmessages between the user and the online identity “BestFriend” may bepresented in the particular font.

In some implementations, the user's interaction with an online resource(e.g., a web page or an email message or media that meets particularcriteria) may be controlled by the client 410 based on the outputcontrols associated with the online resource. For example, if displaycontrols associated with a particular web page indicate that pop-upsinitiated by the web page are disallowed, the client 410 may control theuser's interaction with the particular web page such that when the usernavigates to the web page, the user may not be presented with anypop-ups associated with the web page.

Flow chart 600 of FIG. 6 is an example of a process by which acommunications session between a user and an online identity“BestFriend” is controlled based on instructions for output controls,provided by the user, and associated with the online identity“BestFriend.” Generally, the operations of the process shown in flowchart 600 may be used in conjunction with the systems and configurationsdescribed earlier in FIG. 4. For example, the process shown in flowchart 600 may be performed by client 410. For convenience, client 410 ofFIG. 4 is referenced as performing the process. However, similarmethodologies may be applied in other implementations where differentcomponents are used to define the structure of the system, or where thefunctionality is distributed differently among the components shown.

Client 410 receives, from a user, instructions for an audio controlindicating that sounds associated with an avatar are to be played at avolume setting of 3 and are to be muted 30 minutes after initiation of acommunications session between the user and an online identity of“BestFriend” (610). The instructions for an audio control may beincluded in instructions for output controls provided by the user using,for example, GUI 100 of FIG. 1. The user may provide the online identity“BestFriend” as the online identity for which the user seeks to provideoutput controls. By providing a particular audio control for soundsassociated with an avatar, the user may seek to control soundsassociated with an avatar (e.g., an animated or static icon) displayedin connection with, for example, an instant messaging communicationssession between the user and the online identity “BestFriend.”

Client 410 stores the audio control in association with the onlineidentity “BestFriend” (620). The audio control may be stored inassociation with the online identity “BestFriend” in a configurationfile, such as, for example, the configuration file 200 of FIG. 2. Assuch, the online identity “BestFriend” may be associated with the audiocontrol provided by the user, such that, whenever an interaction takesplace between the user and the online identity “BestFriend,” the audiocharacteristics of the interaction (e.g., sounds associated with anavatar displayed in connection with the communications session) may becontrolled based on the audio control associated with the onlineidentity “BestFriend.”

Client 410 detects an IM received by the user from the online identity“BestFriend” (630). As discussed above, the client 410 may monitormessages (e.g., IM, email, text, or voice) to determine if a messagereceived by the user was sent from the online identity “BestFriend.”Alternatively, the client 410 may monitor all messages received by theuser, determine an online identity associated with each received message(e.g., the online identity “BestFriend”), and assess whether thedetermined online identity is associated with output controls. In eithercase, and in the present example, the client 410 detects an IM receivedby the user from the online identity “BestFriend.”

Client 410 plays sounds associated with an avatar displayed inconnection with the communications session between the user and theonline identity “BestFriend” at a volume setting of 3, and mutes thesounds associated with the avatar after 30 minutes (640). An instantmessaging communications session display may be configured to enable theuser to provide messages to online identity “BestFriend” and view ahistory of all messages sent between the user and the online identity“BestFriend” during the communications session. The display also maypresent an avatar selected by online identity “BestFriend,” such as, forexample, an animated music note, which the online identity “BestFriend”selected to represent that the online identity “BestFriend” plays theguitar. The animated music note avatar may be associated with varioussounds, such as, for example, the words “hello there” being played (andshown as being said by the animated music note avatar) whenever thewords “hi,” “hello,” or “yo” are included in a message in thecommunications session. According to the audio controls associated withthe online identity “BestFriend,” playback of the words “hello there,”as well as any other sounds associated with the animated music noteavatar (or another avatar selected by the online identity “BestFriend”)may be played at a volume setting of 3. Additionally, and also based onthe output controls, all sounds associated with the avatar may be muted30 minutes after initiation of the communications session between theuser and the online identity “BestFriend.”

The described systems, methods, and techniques may be implemented indigital electronic circuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, orin combinations of these elements. Apparatus embodying these techniquesmay include appropriate input and output devices, a computer processor,and a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readablestorage device for execution by a programmable processor. A processembodying these techniques may be performed by a programmable processorexecuting a program of instructions to perform desired functions byoperating on input data and generating appropriate output. Thetechniques may be implemented in one or more computer programs that areexecutable on a programmable system including at least one programmableprocessor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. Each computer program may beimplemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programminglanguage, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in anycase, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitableprocessors include, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions anddata from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Storagedevices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructionsand data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, such as Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCompact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Any of the foregoing may besupplemented by, or incorporated in, specially-designed ASICs(application-specific integrated circuits).

It will be understood that various modifications may be made.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method comprising:receiving, at a client device, an instruction set from a user via agraphical user interface (GUI) of the client device, wherein theinstruction set includes configuration information for at least one of auser identity and an online resource, wherein the configurationinformation includes one or more of audio control information, visualcontrol information, and application control information, wherein eachof the audio control information, the visual control information, andthe application control information correspond to an electroniccommunication between the client device and one of the user identity andthe online resource; receiving, at the client device, an indication thatthe user interacted with a first user identity via a first electroniccommunication between the user and the first user identity; and based onthe received instruction set from the user, modifying one or more of anaudio parameter, a video parameter, and an application parameter of thefirst electronic communication between the user and the first useridentity, wherein i) one or more audio parameters are modified based onthe audio control information and include mute settings for a firstsound type and a second sound type, wherein the mute settings apply toone of the first sound type and the second sound type for apredetermined period of time, ii) one or more visual para meters aremodified based on the visual control information, and iii) one or moreof the application parameters a remodified based on the applicationcontrol information.
 2. The computer implemented method of claim 1,wherein the user identity and the online resource are associated withone of an avatar and a web page.
 3. The computer implemented method ofclaim 2, wherein: modifying one or more of the application parameterscorrespond with an interaction between the user and the web page.
 4. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 3, wherein modifying applicationcontrol information includes modifying one or more interactive featuresof the web page.
 5. The computer implemented method of claim 3, whereinmodifying one or more visual parameters includes controlling visualcharacteristics of the avatar and the web page.
 6. The computerimplemented method of claim 1, wherein the received instruction setcorrespond to one or more features of an electronic message.
 7. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the received instructionset includes receiving instructions for output controls that areassociated with media that meets particular criteria.
 8. The computerimplemented method of claim 7, wherein: wherein the audio parameterscorrespond with the rendering, capture, or playback of media, andenabling an effect includes controlling audio characteristics associatedwith the media or visual characteristics associated with the media. 9.The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the receivedinstructions are associated with an online resource includes receivinginstructions for output controls that are associated with the onlineidentity.
 10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein theonline identity is a first user with a first screen name, and enablingan effect includes: detecting initiation or existence of an instantmessaging communications session with the first user; and furthercomprising one or more of the following: rendering audio output relatedto the instant messaging communications session using audio controlsincluded in the output controls, or rendering an instant messagingrelated to the instant messaging communications session using visualcontrols included in the output controls.
 11. The computer implementedmethod of claim 10, wherein rendering audio output related to theinstant messaging communications session using the audio controlsincludes capturing particular sounds using a microphone level indicatedin the audio controls.
 12. The computer implemented method of claim 10,wherein rendering audio output related to the instant messagingcommunications session using the audio controls includes: renderingparticular sounds indicated in the audio controls based on volumesettings associated with the particular sounds or a microphone andincluded in the audio controls; and muting the particular sounds afteran amount of time associated with the particular sounds and included inthe audio controls has elapsed.
 13. The computer implemented method ofclaim 10, wherein the visual parameters include a priority setting, andrendering the instant messaging related to the instant messagingcommunications session using the visual controls includes: rendering aninstant messaging at a forefront of a display of the device associatedwith the first identity based on whether the priority setting indicatesthat communications with the first screen name should be prioritized;and rendering an instant messaging related to the instant messagingsession in a subdued manner on the display of the device based onwhether the priority setting indicates that communications with thefirst screen name should be subdued.
 14. The computer implemented methodof claim 10, wherein the visual parameters include a list of items to bedisplayed, and rendering the instant messaging related to the instantmessaging communications session using the visual controls includesrendering the items included in the list of items.
 15. A systemcomprising: a data storage device storing instructions for and aprocessor configured to execute the instructions to perform a methodincluding: receiving, at a client device, an instruction set from a uservia a graphical user interface (GUI) of the client device, wherein theinstruction set includes configuration information for at least one of auser identity and an online resource, wherein the configurationinformation includes one or more of audio control information, visualcontrol information, and application control information, wherein eachof the audio control information, the visual control information, andthe application control information correspond to an electroniccommunication between the client device and one of the user identity andthe online resource; receiving, at the client device, an indication thatthe user interacted with a first user identity via a first electroniccommunication between the user and the first user identity; and based onthe received instruction set from the user, modifying one or more of anaudio parameter, a video parameter, and an application parameter of thefirst electronic communication between the user and the first useridentity, wherein i) one or more audio parameters are modified based onthe audio control information and include mute settings for a firstsound type and a second sound type, wherein the mute settings apply toone of the first sound type and the second sound type for apredetermined period of time, ii) one or more visual para meters aremodified based on the visual control information, and iii) one or moreof the application para meters a remodified based on the applicationcontrol information.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the useridentify and the online resource are associated with one of an avatarand a web page.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: modifying one ormore of the application parameters correspond with an interactionbetween the user and the web page.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinmodifying application control information includes modifying one or moreinteractive features of the web page.
 19. A non-transitory computerreadable medium comprising: receiving, at a client device, aninstruction set from a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) of theclient device, wherein the instruction set includes configurationinformation for at least one of a user identity and an online resource,wherein the configuration information includes one or more of audiocontrol information, visual control information, and application controlinformation, wherein each of the audio control information, the visualcontrol information, and the application control information correspondto an electronic communication between the client device and one of theuser identity and the online resource; receiving, at the client device,an indication that the user interacted with a first user identity via afirst electronic communication between the user and the first useridentity; and based on the received instruction set from the user,modifying one or more of an audio parameter, a video parameter, and anapplication parameter of the first electronic communication between theuser and the first user identity, wherein i) one or more audioparameters are modified based on the audio control information andinclude mute settings for a first sound type and a second sound type,wherein the mute settings apply to one of the first sound type and thesecond sound type for a predetermined period of time, ii) one or morevisual para meters a remodified based on the visual control information,and iii) one or more of the application parameters are modified based onthe application control information.